Machine for separating and feeding blanks



Jan. 11, 1927.

W. W. DAVIDSON MACHINE FOR SEPARATING AND FEEDING BLANKS Filed July 15.1925 s Sheets- Sheet '1 .OOOOOOO00OOOOOOOOO0 00NO 1,613,984 Jan. 11,1927. w; w DAVDSON MACHINE FUR SEPARATING AND FEEDING BLANKS Filed July15. 1925 s Sheets-Sheet 2- 1927' w. w. DAVIDSON MACHINE FOR SEPARATINGAND FEEDING BLANKS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 mama Jan. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM WARD DAVIDSON, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO DAVIDSON MANU-FAGTURING COMPANY, OF MADISON, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

MACHINE FOR SEPARATING AND FEEDING BLANKS.

Application filed July 13, 1925. Serial No. 43.270.

This invention relates to machines for separating and feeding blanks andrelates particularly to such machines of the general type which formsthe subject-matter of an 5 application for U. S. Letters Patenttherefor, filed by me on November 21, 1922, and numbered serially602,359.

Machines of the general type to which the invention of thepresentapplication relates.

comprise. a vertically movable blank supporting table, actuating meanstheretor,.

comprising a ratchet wheel and pawl, a vertically movable separatorunitcomprising a separator roll which, in operation, is adapted to restupon the uppermost blank ot' a pack supported on said blank supportingtable, pawl actuating means. and means to render the same inactive.controlled by upward movement of the separator unit, the relation beingsuch that said pawl will idle" when the separator roll is in theposition. approximately, in which it will operate mostcfl'ecti v-ely.Til the. operation ot' the machine, this position of the separator rollis defined by the height of the pack of blanks in the ma hine where saidseparator roll rests upon it, regardless of its height elsewhere.

In the machine of my said prior application Serial No. 602,359,operation of the actuating pawl is controlled by an oscillating memberadapted to contact directly with the top of the pack of blanks on theblank supporting table, the relation being such that when the level ofthe top of the pack s5vattains a predetermined height, said actuatingpawl will be maintained inactive, but will become active when thetop ofthe pack falls below said predetermined level. Sperifically, saidcontrol member consists of an oscillating arm, mounted at the outer endof which is an anti-friction roller which is adapted to contact with theuppermost-blank of the pack as it approaches the upper limit of itsindvement'.

Use in actual practicehas shown, thatthe teed cont rol. mechanism of mysaid prior application may he objectionable under certain conditions. asfor example, when feeding blanks which are warped so' that. at somepoints, the pack will be higher or lower than the portion thereof withwhich the antit'riction roller on the control arm contacts,

which may result .in forcing the separator I unit upwardly against thestop which defines its extreme raised position, thus amming the machineand preventing its designed operation.

The control mechanism of my said prior application may also beobjectionable when feeding some kinds of stock, due to contact of theroller forming part of the control mechanism with the blanks, as theyare withdrawn, which may produce a resistance to the withdrawal of theblanks and thus impa'r the designed operation of the separatormechanism.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the foregoingobjectionable features and. in accordance with my invention, I attainthis end by providing actuating mechanism for the blank supportingcarriage, includ'ng means for rendering said actuating meansinoperative, which is controlled entirely by vupward movement of theseparator unit, the relation being such that the actuating means for theblank supporting carriage will be inactive when the separator unitattains. a position in its vertical movement corresponding to apredetermined position of the separator roll, preferably that positionin which it will operate most efi'ectively.

My improved actuating and control mechanism also comprises the variousother features, combinations of features and details of constructionhereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, in which my invention is fullyillustrated,

Figure 1 is afragmentary, substantially central, sectional elevation ofa machine embodying my invention and improvements, looking towards theright from a position at the right of and facing the figure.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the right side ofthe machinefrom a position at the left of and facing the figure.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary detailed view of the actuating and controlmechanism for the. pack supporting carriage from the right side ofFigure 2.

Figures 4 and 5 are substantially similar pack supporting. carriagesectional side views on the line of Fig.

3, showing the control mechanism in different operative positions;

Figure 6 is a detached top plan view of the oscillating arm by whichmovement is imparted to the actuating pawl arm and its movementcontrolled; and

Figure 7 is a detached top plan view of said actuating pawl, and thepawl arm therefor.

As previouslv stated, the invention and improvements, which form thesubject matter of the present applicatiomrelates to machines forseparating and feeding blanks of the general type fully shown anddescribed in my said prior application Serial No. 602,359.

However. as the present invention relates only to the mechanism foractuating and controlling the movement of the pack carriage, parts andfeatures of the machine not germane to the present invention have been,for the most part. entirely omitted or, if shown at all, are showndiagrammatically, thus avoiding confusion, avoiding unnecessarydescription, and rendering the description of the invention of thepresent application clearer and more definite.

Describing my invention with particular reference to the drawings,adesignates one of the side frames of the machine.

The pack of blanks to be separated and fed, the top of which isindicated by the line I), Fig. 1, is supported upon a blank supportingcarriage, designated as a whole C, comprising frame members one of whichis shown at 0. which are rigidly connected by transverse rods 1, 2 and3, and brackets 4 supported on the rods 1 and 3 so as to be 1 adjustabletowards and from each other,

and which are adapted to be secured in adjusted positions by setiscrewsthreaded through bosses on said brackets in line with the supportingrods 1. The pack of'blanks rests directly upon a board 5 supported onarms .6 forming parts of the brackets 4, the plane of the top side ofsaid bracket arms and the board 5 being substantially horizontal,whereby the pack of blanks will be supported flatwise and insubstantially horizontal position.

The pack carriage C is bodily movable vertically, being confined andguided in its vertical movement by engagement of rigid 'parts theredfwith guide hearings. on the side frame members a. In the preferableconstruction shown vertical spaced roller studs 7 project from the outersides of the blank carriage C and engage guide grooves 8 formed in theadjacent sides of the frame members a. The pack carriageC is supportedby means of chain belts 9 cormected thereto'andwhi'ch pass over sprocketwheels 10 secured to a shaft 11 rotatably mounted in suitable bearingsin the side frame members a. The. ends of said chain belts opposite tothe ends there- C hang free and weights l2 arc preferably suspendedtherefrom. adapted to prevent jumping of said chain belt calculated tocause disengagement thereof from the teeth lating movement is impartedin operation by a lever arm 14 secured to said shaft, said lever armbeing connected by a rod 15 with a driven part of the machine inconnection with which my improved separating and feeding machine isused. Also, to provide for throwing the separating and feeding machineout of operation without stopping the machine to which it is applied,said lever arm 15 preferably is mounted on the rod shaft 13 so as toturn thereon, and is adapted to be secured thereto and disconnectedtherefrom by means of a suitable clutch. However, said clutch forms nopart of my present invention and will not, therefore be either shown ordescribed herein.

The power means for driving the shaft 11 also comprises a ratchet gear,designated as a whole D so constructed and arranged that oscillation ofthe shaft 13 W111 impart step by step rotat'on to the shaft 11 in adirection to raise the pack carriage C. As shown, said ratchet gearcomprises a ratchet wheel 16 mounted to turnon the shaft 13,

secured to rotate with which is a pinion 17 an actuating pawl 19 pivotedupon a frame or support 20.

As shown, see particularly Fig. 7, sad

pawl frame or support 20 consists of arms 0 and 20 rigidly connected attheir outer ends by a stud 21 upon which the pawl 19 is pivoted.

Said pawl 19 is maintained yieldingly in engagement with the teeth ofthe ratchet wheel 16 by'a spring 22 opposite ends'of wh ch are connectedto pins 23 and 24, secured in said pawland in the arm'20? of the pawlcarrying frame, respectively.

As shown, the ratchet wheel 16 is prevented, from turninghackwards--which would lower the pack carriage by a retaining pawl 25pivoted to a pin 26 sccurel'l in the frame member (t on which saidratchet gear I) is mounted. The retaining pawl 25 is mainta ned normallyin engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 16 by a spring 27,opposite ends of which are connected to pins 28 and 29 secured,respectively, in the outer end of said retaining pawl and in the lilframe member a. of the machine.

For reasons presently explained, the pins :3 and 23 secured m'theactuating and retaining pawls l!) and 25, respectively, project at theouter sides of said pawls.

In the operation of the machine the actuating pawl 19 is adapted to beadvanced to impart step by step rotation to the ratchet wheel 16 bymeans of a tappet 31 formed on and which projects laterally from an arm32 secured'to the shaft 13 so as to turn or oscillate therewith, saidtappet 31 being adapted to engage surfaces 33 on the arms and 20 of theframe or support 20 to which the actuating pawl is pivoted, as said arm32 approaches the limit of itsadvancement towards said frame 20.

As shown, also, a cam 34 is secured to or formed on a lateral extension35 of the arm 32, said cam comprising a circular tread portion 36 whichis concentric with the axis of the shaft 13, and a cut-away portion 37.

- The function of said canrwill presently be described.

In accordance with my nvention. the means for retracting the actuatingpawl 19 comprisesa lever designated, as a whole E, which is pivoted tothe frame member a at 38. The lever E is connected to the arm a 20 ofthe frameQO which carries the actuating pawl, by a rod 39, which haspivotal connection to both said lever and arm, the means for connectingsaid rodto the lever E be'ng preferably constructed and arranged foradjusting the operative length of said rod. As shown the rod 39 has ahook 40 on its lower end adapted to engage a hole in the member 20 oftheframe 20 and the means for connecting said rod to the pivotedlever 1) consists of a stud 41 comprising a head 42 formed in which is ahole to wh ch the rod 39 is fitted so as to be freely movable endwise'.The operative length of sad rod is adapted to be adjusted by meansof anut 43 threaded to the end of said rod wh'ch projects through the head42 of said stud and which is adapted to be secured in different adjustedpositions by means of a lock nut 44 threaded .to the upper end of therod 39, a nut lock consist ng of a star shaped washer 45 beingpreferably inserted between the nuts 43 and 44.

As shown, the pivot stud 41 comprises a shank 46 wlrch is fitted to abushing 47 compris'ng a body portion 48, which has screw threadedengagei'nent with a'hole in (ill the lever B, and a head'49, a shoulderwhich engages a ri id part of the lever E, a lock washer 50 beingpreferably inserted between the shoulder of the head 49 and the lever1).

As shown, the shank of the pivoted stud 41 is secured in engagement withthe bore of the bushing 47 by means of a cotter pin.

Applied to the lever E is a spring 51 adapted to turn said leverpivotally to retract the pawl, when said level is free to respondthereto, in'a direction to retract the pawl 19. opposite ends of saidspring being attached to said lever and to a pin 52 senot, therefore, beshown or described in detail. A desirable and preferable form ofseparator unit is that which forms part of the blank separating andfeeding machine which is the subject matter of my said prior applicationSerial No. 602,359, to which reference is here made for a descriptionthereof in detail, both as regards construction and operation.

As herein shown, said separator unit F is supported by means of a rod 54pivoted in the ends of arms 55 secured to a rock shaft 56 mounted toturn in bearings in the side frame members a. Said separator unit issupported in upright position by roller studs 57 on the frame thereof,which engage guide grooves or channels-58 in the side frame members a ofthe machine, see particularly Fig. 1.

The weightof the separator unit is sup ported in part by a counterweight 59, which is adjustable lengthwise on lever arm 60 secured to therock shaft 56. Simple means for securing said lever arm to the rockshaft consists of a head 61 pinned or otherwise-rigidly secured to theend of said rock n shaft whichprojects through its bearing in the framemember a, formed in which is a groove 62 to which said lever arm isfitted, being secured in engagement therewith by screws or similarmeans. 7

During the actuation of the-separator and feed rolls to Withdraw blanksseparately from a pack on the pack carriage C, the.

actuating pawl 19 is adapted to be maintained inactive by means providedfor the purpose. As shown. said means consistof a roller stud 63 mountedat the end of the lever arm l] at the opposite side of its pivot I 5roller stud 63"will be above the portion 37 of said cam tread. which iscut back a sufficient distance below the tread portion 36, to permit thelever arm E to turn pivotally-when free to do so-a distancecorresponding to desired retraction of the actuating pawl 19, say fiveor six teeth as a maximum.

In the operation of the machine, the actuating pawl 19 is adapted to bemaintained inactive at intervals bymeans in association with theseparator unit F, the relation being such that when the blank separatorunit attains an elevation corresponding to a predetermined position ofthe separator 20 roll 53, in which it will operate most effectively,said actuating pawl will idle, that is, will execute an oscillatingmovement less than the pitch of the ratchet wheel 16, but will becomeoperative as blanks are fed from the top of the pack on the packcarriage C,

so that the position of the separator roll will be below saidpredetermined position.

In the preferable construction shown, the means for thus controlling theoperation of said actuating pawl 19 consists of a lock bar 64 pivotedupon the pin 52, the lower end of which is adapted to engage a rigidsurface on the pivoted lever E, said surface comprising a section 65which is concentric :55 with the axis of the pin 52 and a section 66which is eccentric to the axis of said pin, and which diverges from thesurface 65 in the direction of the pivot 38 of the lever E. For reasonspresently explained, the surface 40 66 is provided with serrations 67,the rela- ,tion being such that corresponding surfaces of saidserrations will be normal to radial lines intersecting the same andwhich pass through the axis of the pin 52. The function of saidserrations will presently appear.

When there are no blanks on the pack carriage C or when the level of thetop of the pack of blanks is below the separator roll 53, said separatorroll being at the lower limit of its movement, the lock bar 64 will hangfree, Substantially as Shown in dotted I the cam 34, said lever willhave capacity for lines in Fig. 5, with its lower end over the cccentrlcportion 66 of the stop surface on the "pivoted lever E. the relationbeing such that when said lock bar is in this position it will permitmaximum retraction of the lever E by the spring 51, thus impartingdesigned maximum rotation to the shaft 11 My improved control mechanismalso comprises means, rendered operative by upward 9 movement of theseparator unit F, whereby,

retraction of the' actuating pawl uutil,

when the said lock bar is in position to contact with the portion ofsaid stop surface, retraction of the actuating pawl will be less thanthe pitch of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 16, whereupon said actuatingpawl will merely idle, that is will execute a shaft backward and forwardmovement which, however, will be insutiicient to permit said pawl toengage a tooth otherv than that with which it is in engagement at anygiven time.

Stated differently, when, in the operation of the machine, the lock bar64 is in position to engage the'stop surface 65 of the lover I), it willmaintain said lever in pivotal position corresponding, substantially, toengagement of the roller stud 63 with the cam surface 36. Preferably,however, said cam and roller stud are so proportioned that when inengagement, they will turn the lever l) pivotally to provide slightclearance between the lowcr end of the lock bar 64 and the stop surface65. thus permitting free pivotal movement of said lock bar. Obviouslythis would not be the case if the lower end of said lock bar were heldin frictional engagement with the stop surface by the tension of thespring 51, as would be the case without said cam and roller stud, orequivalent means.

In operation, engagement of the roller stud 63 With the cam 36 will turnthe lever E pivotally to extend the spring 51 and restore its tension,the connection between the link 39 and stud 41 being constructed andarranged to permit pivotal movement of the said lever E in a directioncorresponding to'advancement of the actuating pawl 19, independently ofthe rod 39.

The relation is such, however, that when the lock bar 64 is in aposition above the stop surface 66 on the lever E and the roller stud 63is over the cut-away section 37 of pivotal movement to permit retractionof the actuating pawl a distance greater than the pitch of the teeth ofthe ratchet wheel 16, such retraction increasing as the lock bar 64approaches the positionshown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, in whichposition the capacity for pivotal movement of said lever E willcorrespond to designed maximum retraction of'the actuating pawl.

The function of the serrations 67 is to provide a number of short stepson said stop ,surface 66 at different distances from the axis of thepivot pin 52, which the end of sists of a pin 68 secured in an extension69 of the counter-weighted lever 60, rearwardly from the rock shaft 56,which as the lever 60 turns pivotally, corresponding to raising movementof the separator unit, will engage acam surface 70 formed on a head 7 lon the pivoted end of the lock bar 64, the relation being such that, asthe separator unit is raised into position corresponding to mosteflicient operation of the separator roll 53, said lock bar 64 willgradually be turned pivotally into the position shown in full lines inFigs. 4; and 5 of the drawings. In this position of the lock bar, theactuating pawl 19 will be inactive and will become andremain inactiveuntil a sufficient number of blanks have been fed from the packsupported on the pack carriage C to permit the separator unit-and thusthe separator roll 53t0 lower a suflieient distance to permit the lockbar 64 to turn pivotally out of engagement with the stop surface 65 andto bring it over a-serration 67 of the stop surface 66, whichcorresponds to retraction of the actuating pawl a distance equal to thepitch of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 16.

As shown, the pivotal position of the lock bar 64 corresponding toinaction of the actuating pawl 19 is defined by engagement of the pin 68with a shoulder 72 at the upper end of the cam surface 70, said shoulderbeing preferably rounded to fit the pin 68.

- Obviously, the rounded shoulder 72 will form an abrupt divergentextension of the f cam surf-ace 70 in a direction to throw the lock bar64 abruptly into position to engage the stop surface 65, as theseparator unit approaches an elevation corresponding to inaction oftheactuating pawl. This expedient obviates any necessity for niceadjustment of parts, which might otherwise be necessary.

insure that said lock 'har will 'not 'pass out of engagement with saidstop surface. Also,

the head 71 on said lock bar is extended upward beyond the shoulder 72so that, even should the separator unit F be raised to the extreme limitof its elevation, it would be impossible for said pin to pass out ofengagement with said head 71'.

The contour of the extension of the head 71 ot' the lock bar 61L abovethe shoulder 72 is the arc of a circie.said are being designated 73which is concentric with the axis oi" the rock shaft. 56, when the pin68 is in engagement with the shoulder 72.

To avoid fine fitting and to provide for making adjustments tocompensate for wear I of theparts, particularly in the pivot stud 63,the lever E preferably consists of separate parts 74 and 7 5, which arepivoted to each other at T6. The pivot bearing 38 for said lever isformed in and the roller stud 63 is mounted upon the part 76 of saidlever,

while the stop surfaces 65 and 66 are formed.

directly upon the part 75 thereof.

The parts 74 and 75 of said lever are adapted to be adjusted relative toeach other into positions corresponding to desired operative relationsof the roller stud 63 and the stop surfaces65 and 66 by a thrust screw77, which has screw threaded engagement with a boss on the part 74 ofsaid lever, in line with the portion of the p'art 75 of said lever onwhich the stop surface 65 is formed, said .thrust screw being adapted tobe secured in adjusted positions by a lock nut.

\Vhen the parts 74 and 75 ofsaid lever E have been adjusted into properoperative positions, they are adapted to be clamped rigidly together bythe bushing 47 which has screw threaded engagement with a hole in thepart 74L of said lever and which is positioned in a slot 7 8 formed inthe part 75 of said lever, shown best in Fig. Thus, when saidbushing isscrewed up, it will clamp the parts 74L and 75 of said lever together,unscrewing of said bushing being prevented by means of the l ck washerapplied thereto, as previously explained.

The pack carriage C is adapted to be.

raised manually by means of a crank 79 rigidly secured to the ratchetwheel 16 and i the pinion 17, said crank, ratchet wheel and pinion beingmounted on the shaft 13 so as to turn thereon. Said crank, ratchet.wheel and pinion may thus be secured together and mounted by means of abushing 80 to which they are keyed or otherwise secured. said bushingbeing provided with a borefitted to the shaft 13 and said bushing issecured in engagement with the shaft 13 by means of a washer 81 securedto the outer end of said shaft 13,by a screw 82, the

shank of which extends thru a hole, in -the said washer-and has screwthreaded engagement with a hole in the end of said shaft.

As shown the outer arm 20 of the pawlcarrylngirame 20 is fitted to turnon the pack carriage gradually by bushing 80, while the inner armthereof is fitted to turn on the shaft 13.

With the described constrifction, it is obvious that rotation of thecrank 79 in a direction to cause the teeth of the ratchet wheel 16 tooverrun the pawls 19 and will turn the gear 18 and the sprocket wheelshaft 11 in a direction to raise the pack carriage. a

To lower the pack carriage it is first necessary to disengage both theactuating pawl 19 and the retaining pawl 25 from the teeth of theratchet wheel 16, to permit the sprocket wheel shaft 11 to be turnedbackwards and,

- to prevent the pack carriage from falling from its own Weight or underthe added weight of a pack of blanks carried thereby, the means fordisengaging said pawls preferably constructed and arranged so that itmay be operated with one hand only, leaving the other hand free to lowersaid gripping the handle of the crank 79. As shown,- the means fordisengaging said pawls from the ratchet wheel consists of a lever 83pivoted at one end to the side frame member a on which the ratchet gearI) is mounted, and which is maintained normally in raised position by aspring 84 opposite ends of which are secured to pins 85 and 86 secured,respectively, in said lever and in the frame member a. v

Said lever 83 is adapted to be turned 3 pivotally against the force ofthe spring 84 said slot 92.

by means of a pin 87 secured in the outer end therefrom and whichprojects inwardly towards the frame member a.

Pivotally connected to said lever 83 is a pawl retraction link 88 formedon which are projections 89 and 90 which extend over the pins 23 and 28secured in the actuating pawls 19 and 25, respectively, and which, aspreviously explained, project at the outer sides of said pawls.

The pawl retraction link is confined in operative position relatively tothe pins 23 and 28 by means of a stud 91 secured in the frame member a,the outer end ofwhich is reduced and extends through a slot 92 formed insaid pawl retraction link and is secured in engagement with said slot bymeans of a screw 93, which has screw threaded. engagement with a hole inthe end of the stud 91 and the head 'of which extends outwardly so as toembrace the sides of The lever 83 is maintained normally at the upperlimit of its movement-defined by contact of the lower end of the slot 92with the stud 91'by the spring 84, said slot being made sufiicientlylong to" provide for pivotal movement of the lever 83 to depress theprojections 89 and 90 on the pawl retraction link into engagement withthe pins 23 and 28 securedin the pawls 19 viousthat the pawls 19 and 25may be re- 7 tracted by depressing the lever 83 with one hand, leavingthe other hand free to turn the crank 79 to lower the pack carriage U.

The pin 23 secured in the actuating pawl 19 will oscillate with theframe 20 on which said pawl is mounted and to insure discngagement ofsaid actuating pawl by the retraction link 88, under all operatingconditions, the projection 89 on said link extends beyond the pin 23whenthe actuating an pawl is in its position of extreme advancementadistance slightly greater than the traverse of said pawl.

In accordance with my invention, also,

I preferably provide safety means to prevent falling of the packcarriage C when the lever 83 is turned to disengage the pawls 19 and 25from-the teeth of the ratchet wheel 16, should the handle of the crank79 slip out of the operators hand in lowering lathe pack carriage.

lVhat I now consider preferable means for this purpose, consists of aprojection 94 on the lever 83 which, .when said lever is in its positionof extreme depression, will 95 project into the path of movement of arigid ,part of the crank 79, but will be out of the path of movementthereof when said lever is at the upper limit of the movement, thuspermitting said crank to be turned freely by hand to raise the packcarriage.

As shown, the projection on the crank 79 consists of a pin 95 mounted soas to bc movable endwise in hearings in the crank handle 96, said rodbeing maintained yield- 1 ably extended so as to engage the safetyprojection 94 on the lever 83, when said lever is depressed,',and beingadaptedto be retracted manually to permit it to pass said safetyprojection, when it is desired to lower 0- a hole formed in the end ofsaid handle sup port 97 remote from the crank arm 7 9. The pin 95 ismaintained yieldingly extended by a spring 101 which reacts between ashoulder 102 at the inner end of the pin 95 and the inner end of therelatively small hole 99 said handle support 97, and which surrounds theshank 10Q of said pin, as a guide. The pin 95 is' maintained inengagement with the hole 98 in the crank by a head 103 se cured to theouter end' of the shank of said pin and to provide a smooth hand grip,the parts of the portion of the crank heretofore described are enclosedby a sleeve 104 fitted to bearings formed on the handle sup port 97adjacent to the crank arm 79 and on the head 103. As shown, the head 103is secured to the shank 100 by'a screw 105, comprising a shank whichextends thru a hole formed in the end of the shank 100 of the pin 95 andhas screw threaded engagement with a" hole formed in said head 103. Asshown, thehead of'said screw is relativelylong, its outer end beingpreferably substantially fiush with the surface of the sle ev'e.104.

Retraction of the pin 95 to permit it to pass the safety projection 94on the lever 83 when the lever 83 is depressed, may obviously beeffected by drawing the sleeve 104 outwardly into the position shown indotted lines, Fig. 4, which conveniently can be done by the hand of theoperator used for turning said crank. a

Retraction of the pin 95 is limited by contact of the-shoulder at itsinner end with the shoulder formed between the large and smallporti'ons98 and 99 of the hole in the handle supporting portion 97 ofthe crank.

I claim: 1 1. In a blank separating machine of the type specified, thecombination of a vertically movable pack carriage, means for raising andlowering said pack carriagecomprising power actuated means for raisingthe same, a vertically movable blank separator unit comprising arotatable separator roll adapted to rest upon the uppermost blank of apack of blanks on the pack carriage, the relation being such that, inoperation, the separator rollwill at all times rest upon the pack, meansfor-rotatingsaid separator roll in a direction .to advancethe blanks,and means actuated and controlled solely by u ward movement of saidsep-" arator unit or rendering the poweractuated means for raising saidpack carriage anactive when said separator unit attains. a.

predetermined position. I

2. In ablank separating machine ofthef type specified, the combinationof a vertically movable pack carriage, means for raising andlowering-said pack carriage comprising power actuated means for raisingthe same, a vertically movable, blank separator unit comprising arotatable separator roll adapted to rest upon the uppermostupwardkmoveme'nt of said separator blank ot a pack of blanks onthe'lpack carriage,the relation being such-that in opera- 1 tion theseparator rollwil'l at'all times restupon said pack, means for rotatingsaid separator -rollupon a; substantially stationary axis, and meansactuated, and controlled soleunit for rendering the power actuated meansfor raising said pack carriage inactive when said separator unit-attainsa position corresponding to that of most efiective operation of theseparator roll.

3. In a blank separating machine of the type specified, the combinationof a vertically movable pack carriage, means for raising and loweringsaid pack carriage comprising power actuated means for raising the same,a vertically movable blank separator unit comprising-a rotatableseparator 'roll adapted to rest upon the uppermost blank of a pack ofblanks on said pack car riage, the relation being such that, inoperation, the separator roll will at all times rest upon said pack, thepower actuated means for raising said pack carriage comprising ratchetgearing, and means actuated and;

fiedin claim 1, which also comprises means for disconnecting said packcarriage actuating means, meansfor controlling the lowering of said packcarriage, and means to pre vent falling of the pack carriage when saidactuating means is disconnected.

6. A blank separating machine as specitied in claim 1, which alsocomprises means for disconnecting said pack carriage actuating means,means for controlling the lowering of sa1d pack carriage, and manuallyoperated means to prevent-falling of the pack carriage when saidactuating means is disconnected. 1

7 Ablank separating machine as specified in'claim 1, whichalso'comprises means for disconnecting said pack carriage actuatingmeans, means for controlling the lower ing of said packcarriage, andmanually opcarriage when said actuatingmeans is disconnected renderedoperative by disconnecting thepackearriage actuating means.

fied in claim 3, in which the ratchet gearing comprises'a ratchet wheel,actuating and re-' tainin, ;pawls and manually operated means eratedmeans to prevent falling of the pack a 8. blankseparat-ing machine asspecifor disengaging said pawls from 7 said,

carriage.

ratchet wheel to permit lowering of the pack I 9. A blank separatingmachine as spe tied in claim 3,'in which the ratchet gearing" comprisesa ratchet wheel, actuating and re 1 tainingpawls, means for disengagingsaid pawls from' said ratchet wheel to' 'pennit lowering of the packcarriage, and a crank applied to the driven shaft for turning the sameby hand.

10. A blank separating machine as specified in claim 3, in which theratchet gearing comprises a ratchet wheel, actuating and retalnmg pawls,means for disengaging said 7 pawls from said ratchet wheel and means toprevent the pack carriage from falling when said pawls are disengaged.

11. A blank separating machine as specified in claim 3, in which theratchet gearing comprises a ratchet wheel, actuating and retainingpawls, means for disengaging said pawls from said ratchet wheel to per-.

' mit lowering of the pack carriage comprising a manually operablelever, projections v on said pawls, a link connectedto said lever,

for disengaging said pawls from said ratchet wheel, and means to preventthe pack car riage from falling when said pawls are disengaged, themeans for disengaging the when pawls from the teeth of the ratchet wheelconsisting of a manually operable pivoted v.lever, projections on saidpawls, a link connected' to said le'ver, projections thereon adapted toengage the projections on said pawls, and a spring applied to said leveradapted to turn it to retract the projections on said link fromengagement with the projections onsaid pawls.

-13. A blank separating machine as specified in 'claim 3, in which theratchet gearing comprises .a ratchet wheel, actuating and retaimngpawls, a crank applied to the driven shaft, means for disengaging saidpawls vfrom said ratchet wheel, and means i to prevent the pack carriagefrom falling said vpawls are disengaged, th means for disengaging the"pawls fro the teeth of the ratchet wheel consisting of a manuallyoperable lever, projections on said pawls,a link connected to saidlever,

projections thereon adapted to engage. the

projections on said pawls, and a spring applied to said lever adapted toturn it to retract the projections on said link from engagement with theprojections onv said.

pawls,- and the means for preventing the pack carriage from fallingconsisting of a projection on said pawl retracting lever, I and a pin onthe crank applied to the driven shaft, 'the relation being such that theprojection on said pawl retracting lever will be out of the path ofmovement of the pin on said crank when said 'lever is in positioncorresponding to engagement of the pawls with the teeth of the ratchetwheel andwill project into the path of movement of said pin when saidlever is in position to disengage said pawls, the, pin on the crankbeing movable, a spring applied thereto adapted to maintain itnormallyextended, and manually operable means for retracting said pin.

14. A blank separating machine specified inlclaim 3, in which theratchet. gearing comprises a ratchet wheel, actuating and retaining'pawls, a crank applied to the driven shaft, means for disengaging saidpawls from saidratchet wheel, and means, to prevent the packcarriage'from falling when said pawls are disengaged, the means for.

disengaging the pawls from the teeth of the ratchet wheel consisting ofa manually operable lever, projections on said pawls, a link connectedto said lever, projections thereon adapted to engage the projections onsaid pawls, and a spring applied to said lever adapted to turn it toretract the projections on said link from engagement with theprojectlons on said pawls, and the means for preventing the packcarriage from falling consisting of a projection on said pawl retractinglever, and a pin on the crankapplied to the driven shaft, the relationbeing such that the projection on said pawl retracting lever will be outof the path of movement ofthe pin on said crank when said lever is inposition corresponding to engagement of the pawls, and will project intothe path of movement of said pin when said lever is in positioncorresponding to disengagement of said pawls, the pin on the crank beingmovable endwise, and a spring applied thereto adapted to maintain itnormally extended, the handle of said crank comprising a grip portionwhich is movable endwise, and connection between said grip portion andpin providing means for retracti'ng said pin. I

15.4 In a blank separating machine of the type specified, thecombination of 'a vertically movable pack carriage, means for raisingand lowering said pack carriage comprising power actuated means forraising the same, a vertically movable blank .separator unit, comprisinga frame and a separator roll'rotata ly mounted therein ada ted torestupon the uppermost blank 0 -a pack of blanks on saidpack carriage,the power actuated means-for raising said pack carriage comprisingdriving and driven shafts, meansadapted for imparting oscilf latingmovement to said driving shaftin' pack carriage a distance less than thepitch of the teeth,

of the ratchetwheel when said separator-- unit attains a predeterminedposition.

"16. In a blank separating machine of the type specified, thecombination of a vertically movable pack carriage, means for raising andlowering said pack carriage comprising power actuatedmeans for raisingthe same, a vertically movable blank separator unit, comprising a frameand a sep arator roll rotatably mounted therein "adapted to rest uponthe uppermost blank of a pack of blanks on said pack carriage,

the power actuated means for raising said 7 comprising driving anddriven shafts, means adapted for imparting oscillating movement to saiddriving shaft in 4 operation, ratchet gearing connecting said drivingand driven shafts, and connection between the driven shaft and the packcarriage, means for limiting'retraction' of the actuating pawl to adesired maximum when the separator unit is at the lower limit of itsmovement, and means controlled by raising movem'ent'of the separatorunit for gradually reducing retraction of the actuating pawl to adistance less than the pitch of the teeth of the ratchet wheel when saidseparator unit attains a predetermined position.

17. A blank separating machine as specified in claim 15, in which themeans for retraeting the actuating pawl .of\the ratchet gearing and forcontrolling retraction of said pawl, comprisesa pivoted lever, a linkwhich connects said lever with the support for saidpawl, a springapplied to said lever adapted for turning the same to retract said meansin association with said lever and conpawl, means in association withsaid lever and controlled by raising movement of the separator unit forreducing the pivotal move ment of said lever to an arc corresponding toretraction of the actuating pawl a distance less than the-pitch of theteeth of the ratchet wheel when the separator unit attains apredetermined position 18, Ablank separating machine'as specified inclaim 15, in which the means for retracting the actuating pawl of .theratchet gearing and for controlling retraction of sai' pawl, comprisesapivoted lever, a link which connects said lever with the support forsaid pawl, a spring applied to said lever adapted for turning the sameto! retract said pawl,

trolled b'yraising movement of the separator unit for reducing thepivotal movement of said lever to an arc corresponding to retraction ofthe actuating pawl a distance less than the pitch of the teeth oftheratchet wheel when the separator unit attains a predetermined position,the connection of said link to one of the parts connected thereby beingconstructed and arranged to permit movement of said pivoted lever in adirection corresponding to advancement of said actuating pawlindependently of the support for said actuating pawl.

19; A blank separating machine as specified in claim 15, in which themeans for re- 3 tracting the actuating pawl of the ratchet gearing andfor controllin retraction of said pawl, comprises a pivoted ever, a linkwhich connects said levenwith the supporting mem berfor said actuatingpawl, a spring applied to said lever adaptedfor turning the same toretract said pawl, a pivoted lock bar, and a stop surface formed on saidpivoted lever adapted to be brought into contact with the end of saidlock bar by pivotal movement of said lever, said stop surface comprisingsec tions which are relatively proximate to and remotefrom the-pivot ofsaid lock bar, and means controlled by raising movement of the separatorunit for turning said lock bar pivotally. 1

20. A blank separating machine as specified in claim 15, in which themeans for retractin'g the actuating pawl of the ratchet gearing and forcontrolling retraction of said pawl, comprises a pivoted lever, alinkwhich connects said lever with the supporting member for said actuatingpawl, a spring applied pawl, apivoted lock bar, and a stop surfaceformed on said lever adapted to be brought into contact with the end ofsaid lock bar by pivotal movement of said lever, said stop surfacecomprising sections Which are relatively proximate to and remote fromthe pivot of said lock bar, the proximate section being concentric withthe pivot of saidlock bar, and means controlled by raising movement ofthe separator unit for turning said lock bar pivotally.

21. A blank separating machine as specified in claim 15, in which themeans for retracting the actuating pawl of the ratchet gearing and forcontrolling retraction of said pawl, comprises a pivoted lever, alinkwhich connectssaid lever. with the supporting member for said actuatingpawl, a spring applied to said lever adapted to turn it to retract saidpawl, a pivoted lock bar and a stop surface formed on said lever whichis adapted to be brought into contact with the end of said lock bar bypivotal movement of to said lever adapted to turn itto retractsaid 45 toturn said lever proximate section being concentric with the pivot ofsaid lock bar, and the remote section being eccentric relative to thepivot of said lock bar, and means controlled by rais- 5 ing movement ofsaid separator unitto turn the lock bar pivotally.

22. A blank separating machine as specified in claim 15, in which themeans for retracting the actuating pawl of the ratchet l0 gearing andfor controlling retraction of said pawl, comprises a pivoted lever,alink which connects said lever with the supporting member for saidactuating pawl, a spring applied to said lever adapted to turn it. toretract said pawl, a pivoted lock bar and a stop surface formed on saidlever adapted to be brought into contact with the end of said lock barby pivotalmovementof said lever comprising sections which are relativelyproximate to and remote from the pivot ofsaid lock bar, means controlledby raising movement of the separator unit to turn said lock barpivotally, and means to turn said lever ivotally to retract the stopsurface on said pivoted lever from contact with the end of said lock barbetween actuations of said lever to retract the actuating pawl.

23. A blank separating machine asspecified in claim 15, in which themeans for re- 3 tracting the actuating pawl of the ratchet gearing andfor controlling retraction of said pawl, comprises a pivoted lever, a;link which connects said' lever with the supporting member for saidactuating pawl, a

springapplied to said lever adapted to turn it to retract said pawl, apivoted ,lock" bar and a stop surface formed on said lever adapted to bebrought into contact with. the end of saidlock bar by pivotal movementof 40 said lever comprising sections which are relatively proximate toand remote from the pivot of said lock bar, means controlled a camsecured to the driving shaft and a stud on said lever adapted toengagesaid cam.

24. A blankseparating machine as specified in claim 15, in which themeans for retracting the actuating pawl of the ratchet gearing and forcontrolling retraction of said pawl, comprises a vpivoted lever, a linkwhichconnec ts said leverwlth the supporting member for said actuatingpawl, a 50 spring applied to said lever adapted to turn it to retractsaid pawl, 21 pivoted lock bar and a stop urface formed on said leveradapted to-be brought into contact with the end ofsaid stop bar bypivotal movement of said lever, and means controlled by raising movementof the separator unit to turn said lock bar pivotally comprising a headformed on said lock bar, a cam surface thereon and a pin secured in apart which moves with said separator unit adapted to engage the camsurface on the head of said lock bar.

25. A blank separating machine as specified in claim 15, in which themeans for retracting the actuating pawlvof the ratchet gearing and forcontrolling retraction of said pawl, comprises a pivoted lever, a linkwhich connects said lever with the supporting member for said actuatingpawl, a spring applied to said lever adapted to turn it to retract saidpawl, a pivoted lock bar and a stop surface formed on said pivoted leveradapted to be brought into contact with the end of said lock bar bypivotal movement, of said lever, and means con trolled by raisingmovement of the, separator unit for; turning said lock bar pivotally,

a cam surface thereon and a pin secured in a part which moves with saidse arator unit adapted to engage the cam surace on the head on said lockbar, the head on said lock bar extending above the control pin topreventfdisengagement of said pin and lock bar from each other.

26. A blank separating machine as specified in claim 15, in which themeans for retracting the actuating pawl of the ratchet gearing and forcontrolling retraction of said pawl, comprises apivoted lever, a linkwhich connects said lever with the support.- ing member for saidactuating pawl, -a spring applied tosaid lever adapted to ,turn it toretract said pawl, a pivoted lock bar, and a stop surface formed on saidlever adapted to he brought into contact with the end of said lock barby pivotal movement of said lever, said stop surface comprising sectionswhich are relatively proximate to and remote from the pivot of said lockbar, the proximate section being concentric with the'pivot of said lockbar, and means controlled by raising movement of the separator unit forturning said lock bar pivotally, the stop surface on said pivoted leverbeing sufl'iciently long to prevent disengagement of the lock barthereforma N 27. A blank separating machine as specified in claim 15, inwhich the means for re- 'tra'cting the actuating pawl of the ratchet:

gearing and for controlling retraction of said pawl, comprisesa pivotedlever, a'link' which connects said lever with the supporting member forsaid actuating pawl, a spring applied to said lever adapted to turn itto retract said pawl, a pivoted lock bar and astop' surface formed onsaid lever which is adapted to be brought into contact with the end ofsaid lock bar by pivotal movement of said lever, sa'id' comprising ahead formed on said lock bar,

Elm

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I no

stop surface comprising sections which are relatively proximate to andremote from the pivot of said lock bar, the proximate section beingconcentric with the pivot of said lock bar, and the remote section beingeccentric relative to the pivot of said lock bar, and means controlledby raising movement of said separator unit to turn the lock barpivotally, the eccentric section of the stop surface onthe said pivotedlever being serrated.

28. A blank separating machine as specified in claim 15, in which themeans for retracting the actuating pawl of the ratchet gearing and forcontrolling retraction of said pawl, comprises a. pivoted lever, a linkwhich connects said lever with the supporting member for 'said actuatingpawl, a

:spring applied to said lever adapted to turn .it to retract said pawl,a pivoted lock bar,

and a stop surface formed on saidpivoted lever adapted to be broughtinto contact with the end of said-lock bar by pivotal movement of saidlever, said stopsurface being adjustable and comprising sections whichare relatively proximate to and remote from the pivot of said lock bar,and means controlled by upward movement of the separator unit forturning said lock bar pivotally.

29. A blank separating machine as specic fied in claim 15, in which themeans for retracting the actuating pawl of the ratchet gearing and forcontrolling retraction of said pawl, comprises a-pivoted lever, a linkwhich connects said lever with thesupporting member for said actuatingpawl, a spring applied to said lever adapted for turning the same toretract said pawl, a pivoted lock bar, and a stop surface formed on saidpivoted lever adapted to be brought into contact with the end of saidlock bar by pivotal movement of said lever, said lever comprisingseparate adjustably connected parts, one thereof'being pivoted to afixed support, and the other bearingthe stop surface,- and means forsecuring the parts of said lever togetherin fixed relatioz 30. A blankseparating machine as specified in claim 15, in which the means for retracting the actuating pawl of the ratchet gearing and for controllingretraction of said pawl, comprises a pivoted lever, a link whichconnects said lever with the supporting member for said actuating pawl,a

spring applied to said lever adapted for turning the same to retractsaid pawl, a

pivoted lock bar, and a stop surface formed on said pivoted leveradapted to be brought into contact with the end of saidlock bar bypivotal movement of said lever, saidlever comprising separate adjustablyconnected parts, one thereof being pivoted to a fixed support, and theother bearing the stop surface, means for effecting adjustment of thepart of said lever which bears thestop surface relative to the otherpart of the lever and means for'securing said parts together in fixedrelation.

' 31. A blank se arating machine as specified in claim 15, in which themeans for retrading the actuating-pawl of the ratchet gearing and forcontrolling retraction of said pawl, comprises a pivoted lever, a linkwhich connects said lever with the supporting member for said actuatingpawl, a. spring applied to said lever adapted for turning the same toretract said pawl, a pivoted lock bar, and a stop surface formed on saidpivoted lever adapted to be brought into contact with the end of saidlock bar by pivotal movement of said lever, said lever comprisingseparate pivotally connected parts, one, of which is pivoted to a fixedsupport, and the other of which bears the stop surface, and means forsecuring said parts-together in fixed relation.

32. A blank separating machine as speci fied inclaim 15, in which themeans for re-,

which connects said lever with the support ing member for said actuatingpawl, a

spring applied to said lever adapted to turn it to retract said pawl, apivoted'lockv bar and a stop surface formed on said lever adapted to bebrought into contact with the end of said lock bar by pivotal movementof said lever, comprising sections which are relatively proximate to and'remote from the pivot of said lock bar, means controlled by raisingmovement of the separator unit to turn said lock bar pivotally, andmeans to turn said lever pivotally to retract the stop surfaceon' saidpivoted lever from contact with the end of said lock bar betweenactuations of said lever to retract the actuating pawl, said pivotedlever comprising separate adjustably connected parts, one thereof beingpivoted to a fixed support, and the other bearing the stop surface, andmeans for securing the parts of said lever together in fixed relation.

33. Av blank separating machine as specified in claim 15, in *which themeans for retracting the actuating pawl of the ratchet gearing and forcontrolling retraction of said pawl, comprises pivoted lever, a link endof said lock bar by pivotal movement ofsaid lever, comprising sectionswhich are relatively proximate to and remote from the pivot of said lockbar, means controlled by raising movement of the separator unit to turnsaid lock bar pivotally, and means to turn said lever pivotally toretract'the stop' 5 surface on said pivoted lever from contact with theend of said lock bar between actuations of said lever to retract theactuating pawl, consisting of a cam secured to the driving shaft and astud on said lever adapted to engage said cam.

' In Witness that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I affix mysignature this Qlth day of June, 1925. K

WILLIAM WARD DAVIDSON.

